Feank h



Aug. 14, 1928.

Filed March 2, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 1'4, 192s.

F. H. RUEHMEIER METER FOR TAXICABS Filed March 2, 1927 fly. 2..

the frame 36 is raised by the springs 39, thus operating the `rods 33, 28 and 9 so as to lower the contact finger 1l to the position shown in broken lines in Figure l, in which position it is below one or both of the contacts 13-13 so that it cannot electrically connect the same. Vhen, however', ai passenger enters the vehicle and occupies the seat 84 his weight d epresses the frame 36 and raises the rod 9 through the intermediation of the rods 33 and 28 andconnected pinions so that the contact finger llis in contact with the points 18-13,' in which position the contact inger remains so long as-the 'flag 2 is in lowered position, shown in broken lines in Figure 1. Then the parts are so positionedthe finger 1l will short circuit the ignition current from the magneto if itis attempted to startv the motor withoutfirst lowering the flag Aso that the meter will register. Y It is thusV impossible to start the-motor until the flag has been lowered so as to 'bring the meter into'operation. Lowering theviiag is arranged to actuate the rack 8 so as to force the bevelled linger l5 of the rack beneath the contact finger 11 so asto cause it to move outwardly to the position shown in Figure 3 away from the' contacts 13--13,l thus opening the short circuitcaused by said finger and permitting the operation of the motor. Should the operator-at any time prior to the time the passenger leaves the car, raise the iiag, it will permit the linger ll to make contact between the points 13-13 by the action of the spring 1l upon the withdrawal oiy the rack 8, immediately short circuiting the ignition current and stopping the motor. It will thus be seen that so long as the cab is occupied by a passenger it is impossible to operate the motor and run the cab without lowering the flag so as to bring the meter into registering position. The spring 18is the usual device for vshort circuiting the ignition employed in taxicabs, whereby the operator isy enabled merely by touching the spring and making contact between the points 17-17 to stop the motor. During operation the spring 18 does not make contact between the points 17-17- It will thus be seen that by the use of a meter constructed in accordance with the .above speciiication, it becomes impossible for "a dishonest driver to operate the cab with a passenger without causing the meter to rregister and thus requiring him to make accurate and complete report and return to his superiors, wit-hout in any way interfer-` ing with the normalv operation ofl the cab when it is vacant.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by YLetters Patent is: l

' l. device Vof the character specified, comprising in combination with a meter having a movable member for placing said meter into or out of operative setting, a

.motor vehicle seat and the motor ignition circuit of said vehicle, contacts in said circuit, a rod movably lmounted relative to said contacts, means carried by said rodand arranged to shortcircuit the ignition current, tension means arranged normally to motor vehicle seat and the motor ignition circuit of said vehicle, contacts in said circuit, a rod movably mounted relative to said` contacts, al contact liinger for electrically connecting said contacts to 'short circuit the ignition current pivotally mounted on the end of vsaid rod, tension vrmeans arranged normally to press said iinger towards said contacts, means actuated by the weight of an occupant on said seat for moving said rod to bring said finger in contact with said contacts, and means actuated by the movement fof said member to registering position for-forcing said finger away from said contacts.

3. A" device oi the character specified, comprisingl in combination with a meter having a movable member for placing said meter into or out of operative setting, a motor vehicle Vseat and the motor ignition circuit of `said vehicle, contacts in said oircuit, a rod movably mounted relative to said contacts, a contact i-nger for electrically connecting said contacts to short circuit the ignition currentV pivotally mounted on the end of said rod, tension means arranged normally to press said iinger toward said contacts, a frame mounted in said seat, com pression means for normally holding said frame in Yraised position, means connecting said frame with said rod whereby upon the depression of said frame by the Weight of an occupant on said seat said rod is raised to bring said finger in contact rwith said contacts, and means actuated by the movement ofsaid membery to registering position for forcingv said finger away yfrom said contacts. Y

4. A device of the character specified, comprising in combination withVV a meter having a movable member for placing said meter i into or out of operative setting, a motor vehicle seat and the motor ignition circuit of said contact linger for electrically connecting to bring said linger in contact With -said said contacts to short clrcult the ignition contacts, means actuated by the movement current pivotally mounted on the end of of said member to registering position for l0 saidV rod, tension means arranged normally forcing said finger away from said contacts,

to press said finger toward said contacts, and a protective housing to prevent access means actuated by the Weight of an.occu to Said parts. v pant on said seat whereby said rod is moved FRANK H. RUEHMEIER. 

